Effect of complex formation on nonlinear optical parameters of dye-graphene system

•A non-fluorescent charge transfer complex is formed between the dye and graphene.•Effect of saturable absorption in the dye-graphene system is drastically reduced.•Silver decoration of graphene reduces these effects.

The effect of saturable absorption in a dye decreases significantly in the presence of functionalized hydrogen-induced exfoliated wrinkled graphene (f-HEG). The absorption spectra give strong evidence of complex formation in the ground state. The fluorescence spectra and nonlinear optical properties of the dye are affected by f-HEG and silver decorated graphene (Ag-f-HEG) by various degrees. The open aperture Z-scan and degenerate four wave mixing (DFWM) techniques have been used to record the drastic changes in the nonlinear optical parameters of dye in presence of f-HEG and Ag-f-HEG. The results indicate a reduction in the average value of the nonlinearity due to formation of the non-fluorescent ground-state charge-transfer complex. At high input irradiance the optical limiting capability of the dye-f-HEG system has been found to be enhanced. The pre-existing charge transfer between silver nanoparticles and f-HEG reduces the strength of dye-f-HEG complex formation.